Activate Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial in 2025: A Guide

If you're the proud owner of a Nintendo Switch or eagerly awaiting the Nintendo Switch 2, you're likely no stranger to Nintendo Switch Online. This service is crucial for diving into multiplayer modes and enjoying online battles with friends in your favorite games. But that's not all—it's your golden ticket to over four decades of Nintendo's iconic games, from the nostalgia-filled NES and SNES to the beloved Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and, with the imminent arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, the eagerly anticipated GameCube library.

Haven't yet dipped your toes into the Nintendo Switch Online experience? No worries—we're here to guide you through it. In the following sections, we'll show you how to kickstart your journey with the free trial, break down the different subscription tiers, delve into the pricing, and much more.

Does Nintendo Switch Online Have a Free Trial?

Absolutely! Nintendo offers a **seven-day free trial** of Nintendo Switch Online. During this trial, you'll have full access to online multiplayer for your Nintendo Switch (and soon, Nintendo Switch 2 games), cloud backup for your save data, select game soundtracks on Nintendo Music, and a vast library boasting over 100 titles from the NES, SNES, and Game Boy eras.

Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial

• Seven days free, then renewed at a monthly rate of $3.99. No Expansion Pack benefits are included.
• See it at Nintendo

Click the link above to sign up for the free trial. Remember, once your trial period ends, you'll automatically be charged for your subscription if you don't cancel it in time.

What Is Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service tailored for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 users. As the name implies, it unlocks online multiplayer and a suite of additional features for a variety of games, plus the convenience of cloud backups for your precious save data.

But the perks don't stop at online play. Subscribers also get to explore a continually expanding catalog of Nintendo Classics spanning over 40 years. The standard subscription offers a curated selection of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games, while the Expansion Pack elevates your experience with titles from the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis. And for those with a Nintendo Switch 2, the Expansion Pack will also include select GameCube games right from the launch.

Nintendo Switch Online 12 Month Individual Membership + Expansion Pack eGift Card

• $49.88 at Walmart
• $49.88 at Target

Alongside the retro game catalog, Nintendo introduced the Nintendo Music app in late 2024, allowing you to stream and download tracks from beloved franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Metroid, and many more.

How Much Does Nintendo Switch Online Cost?

Nintendo Switch Online offers both individual and family plans. The individual plan is priced at **$3.99 per month**, **$7.99 for three months**, or **$19.99 per year**. The family plan, which supports up to eight accounts, is available annually for **$34.99 per year**.

Nintendo Switch Online

• Compare plans, prices, and perks
• See it at Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which includes additional Nintendo Classics and specific game DLC packs, is exclusively an annual subscription. It costs **$49.99 per year for individual subscribers** and **$79.99 per year for family memberships**.

How to Use Nintendo Switch Online - Available Platforms

Primarily, Nintendo Switch Online is designed for use with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 systems. However, with the recent launch of the Nintendo Music app, you can now enjoy some of its benefits on your mobile devices as well.